OPD Celebrate 25 Years of Service

  • July 25, 2025

The Director Office of Public Defender (OPD) with Directors from other Parastatal under The Lagos State Ministry of Justice celebrated 25th Anniversary of OPD on 24th of July 2025.
Twenty Five years ago, on the 24th of July 2000, The Office of the Public Defender was established to ensure that every resident of the State has equal access to justice irrespective of means, race, age or gender with particular emphasis on the rights of women, children and people living with disability. The Office has since its creation been diligently performing its mandate by ensuring the protection and enforcement of the fundamental human and socio- economic rights of all residents of Lagos is protected.

A small Office with minimal staff strength that started work at Motorways in 2000, with passion, determination and focus, has evolved in the past two decades to become a force to be reckoned with in the service of humanity and the temple of justice. The Office currently has its Head Quarters at Surulere and six branches in Ajah, Ajegunle, Badagry, Epe, Ikorodu and Ogba, in a bid to bring its services closer to the people of Lagos State, OPD currently have a staff strength of over 60 Counsel, Social workers, Admin Officers and Public Affairs Officers, all working harmoniously to ensure excellent delivery of service to the citizens of Lagos State. In 2019, the Office received over Four Thousand (4,000), walk in petitions, offered free legal representation to 13,787 person in civil and criminal matters at various High and Magistrate Courts in Lagos State . There were also 73 rescue missions carried out by Officers of the Office to rescue children in distress.

The sum of Thirty-two million Naira (N32,000,000) was recovered on behalf of clients represented in Courts. In 2020, the Office has received over One Thousand (1,000) walk in petitions so far, carried out 34 rescue missions, and recovered over Eight million naira (8,000,000) for clients.

OPD will continue to deliver within the purview of this pillars as part of dividends of good governance. Our Special thanks goes to our Amiable Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, our able Attorney General/Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo SAN and our able Permanent Secretary/ Solicitor General, Ms. Titilayo Shitta-Bey for their continuous support for the Office of the Public Defender. Our appreciation goes out to all staff of the Office of the Public Defender and all persons and organizations who protects and supports persons whose rights have been infringed, wherever and whenever they need help. We are grateful to the organizations, agencies, and service providers who collaborates with the Office of the Public Defender and who also work tirelessly with tremendous dedication to ensure that all residents of Lagos have equal and unfettered access to justice.

We also appreciate the Past Directors of the Office Justice Olabisi Akinlade, Justice Atinuke Olayemi, Mrs. Omotola Rotimi, Mrs. Olubukola Salami, Mrs Olayinka Adeyemi and Dr. Babajide Martins for their excellent service to the Office. We also thank all stakeholders, the Police Force, the Judiciary, The Domestic Violence and Sexual Response Team (DSVRT), Citizens Mediation Centre (CMC), The Mirabel Centre, Cece Yara, WARIF, Ministry of Youth and Social Development (MYSD), Social media influencers, Child Protection Network (CPN), Channels TV, HI IMPACT TV, WAZOBIA MAX TV, UNICEF, The Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Programme (ROLAC) funded by the European Union, National Institute of Trial Advocacy (NITA) (USA), we couldn’t have excelled without your inputs.

Igbega Eko Odi Ajumose!!!.